If your home has uneven concrete, it is often not only unsightly, but it is also potentially dangerous. Uneven concrete can create a tripping hazard, which can ultimately end up being a serious liability. While there are several potential solutions for uneven concrete, one of the easiest, most cost effective, and often fastest is concrete raising.
There are several potential causes for concrete settlement. Factors include things like tree root intrusion, soil erosion due to improper drainage, the settlement of fill dirt along foundations, and even seismic activity.
The most common cause, however, is the settlement of fill dirt. If dirt below a foundation swells or shrinks unevenly, this can result in an unevenly sloped or cracking slab. Different types of soil react differently to changes in weather and water levels, and some types of soil are more prone to causing concrete damage as a result. Water is a big culprit, because soil tends to expand when full of water. Once the water dries up, the soil shrinks, leaving behind sunken concrete.
Concrete raising can address many issues associated with concrete settlement. These include sloped concrete, sunken concrete, and voids under concrete slabs. When concrete is not sloped properly, it can cause water drainage to run toward the foundation of a house instead of away. When concrete is sunken, the uneven concrete surfaces can be dangerous to people by increasing risks of tripping or falling. A void under the slab, caused by water eroding soil or sliding soil, can lead to concrete cracking and other problems. Concrete raising evens out the concrete surface once again.
Also commonly known as mudjacking or slabjacking, concrete raising is a process in which a combination of dirt, water, and concrete is pumped below an existing concrete slab. This combination of materials is pumped below the slab through small holes that have been drilled. This process allows the existing slab to be lifted back to its previous position without the slab having to be entirely removed and replaced. After the slab is back in the appropriate position, the drill holes are filled and patched.
There are many benefits to concrete raising over concrete replacement. First, it costs less. There is also little inconvenience to the homeowner, as entire slabs of concrete do not need to be removed, replaced, and cured, and the surrounding landscaping and lawn is minimally disturbed. The homeowner can also use the concrete space almost immediately, and concrete raising does not create the same debris and waste cause by concrete breaking and replacement. The color and texture of the concrete remains constant, and a more stable base is produced as a result of the raising process.
The team at Intech Anchoring Systems is highly experienced when it comes to concrete raising and foundation repair. With several decades of providing quality solutions for our customers, Intech Anchoring Systems can ensure your uneven concrete doesn’t stay in disrepair. Contact us today at 800-223-7015 for more information about our concrete repair solutions.
Tim is the President of Intech Anchoring and has 25 years of experience in the Civil Engineering and Geostructural Industry. Tim has developed extensive industry knowledge by working to support the needs of specialty contractors at each and every business level. Tim’s diverse industry background has given him exposure to a wide variety civil construction projects, ranging from the simplest residential applications to the most complex commercial and industrial projects. Coupled with a highly skilled and educated team, Tim focuses on providing the highest quality products and solutions to Intech Anchoring’s customers in order to consistently exceed expectations.